Problem Statement

The abundance of diverse destinations and trip styles in Thailand poses a significant challenge for travelers in the planning phase. Travelers face the risk of missing out on authentic experiences and hidden gems, as the recommendations from web searches are very general and in turn making the trip an unpleasant experience for the traveler. Addressing this issue requires a solution that helps the planning process, offering personalized recommendations that align with individual preferences and interests, thus ensuring a more tailored and enjoyable travel experience.

Project Objectives

Our project endeavors to bridge the gap between travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and locals willing to share their knowledge. The team's decision to create a mobile application reflects a commitment to providing a personalized and secure platform that enhances the travel experience for both users and locals. The idea is to give travelers a cool and unique experience while also helping out local communities.

Methodology

Qualitative Research

Initially, qualitative research techniques like interviews, surveys, and observations are crucial to delve into Jaeyun's motivations, behaviors, and challenges related to traveling in Thailand.

Designing UI

The UI design process for MaTravel draws initial inspiration from Tinder due to its function similarity. While Tinder matches people for hangouts or dates, MaTravel matches travelers with locals in Thailand to facilitate trip planning. To ensure ease of use, the UI is crafted with simplicity and user-friendliness at its core.

Results

The finished product includes an interactive Figma UI for user-friendly navigation and a Python Jaccard Similarity algorithm for precise interest matching. This innovative approach ensures personalized, authentic experiences, setting MaTravel apart in the market.